It’s crazy that we think more than we speak… well, let’s not get to what would happen if we spoke of everything we thought!
My point is that most of what we say, the daily roles we play, and the messages that we convey start with a thought.
Yes, the process that engages about one hundred billion neurons and one thousand trillion synapses!
Tomorrow, we might not remember the first or second thought we had today, so what… are we just gonna let the work of these billions of neurons drift around in a pool at the back of our heads?
It’s even more insane to realise, from research done back in 2020, that people usually have more than 6,000 thoughts during a day with a median rate of about 6.5 thought transitions per minute!
How on earth do we sort these out? Some act as constructive forces while others are destructive.
Do we want to get into the habit of ordering our thoughts?
We should understand that this is where ideas are born- the wellsprings of mastermind schemes. Let’s learn together how to identify the noble thoughts that stand out from the masses and bring them to the field of action.
HABITS OF AN ORDERLY MIND
An orderly mind is characterized- at thought level, by its capacity to formulate ideas in an orderly sequence. Then they stream from our lips with well-articulated clarity and tenacious expression. Followed by skilful planning and meticulous prioritising.
There are always thoughts bugging us, the dentist’s appointment I missed last week, the 5 fruits I try to eat daily, the upcoming final exams I promised myself to start preparing for earlier this year, and in the name of the Greek Gods! I still have to shower my dog!
I’ve learned that a systematic approach will surely spare us the worry. For the ‘basic’ thoughts of all that we have to get done, why not throw it on paper?
let’s list and enumerate them from the most urgent to the least. For ‘more complex’ thoughts, jot them down under headers such as family, friends, studies, hobbies, etc. And for those that don’t fit under any category… let’s do what Wilhelm Röentgen did when he made a discovery while experimenting fluorescence generated by a cathode ray tube and came across an unknown and random radiation- denote it with an X.
So… X-thoughts it is!
Expressing our thoughts is the next step.
Whether it’s eloquently expressing our ideas to a close and immediate audience such as our family members and circle of friends or to larger audiences. The concept is the same: We need to make the current flow.
Clarity and precision are key to ensuring that we transmit our exact thoughts, expectations and intentions. In our heads, the idea might seem crystal clear but you can’t compare what’s initially in your head with what spontaneously comes out of your mouth- they are apples and oranges.
Let’s strive to ensure effective communication
What’s more, is that we should carry the appropriate ‘luggage’. First, reading constantly refreshes and broadens our vocabulary. Remember though, that
“Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting” -Edmund Burke
Preparation already gets you halfway to your destination. Just imagine, if you are consistent and up-to-date, you will have no excuses or right to hesitate when the opportunity is found.
Second, practice. I think it’s easier to talk to my dog than with a person for the obvious reasons that he won’t answer or judge me, and I can keep blabbering. Yet talking to people is what we need - for the obvious reason that they will answer back. Share your thoughts and learn to listen to comments.
INDUCED MAGNETISM
Pollinating flowers attract buzzing bees, bees attract hoverflies and in turn butterflies. When we start turning our thoughts into action, other ideas will be induced.
Let’s take agrivoltaics, for instance, where agricultural production is done beneath solar panels in large solar farms. The engineers’ main focus is electricity production but they are not walking in a narrow, towering-walled corridor. They are open and look out for new ideas. I believe that we should always be attentive to these other minor ideas that begin popping up.
Take, for example, a personal experience of mine when my family and I were hosting children’s classes for kids in our neighbourhood. The children had, as a task, to memorize a quotation, and this one (unlike the previous ones) was quite lengthy.
So, in order to both understand the significance and call it to memory, so that they easily weave the concepts into their daily lives, we came up with an idea. Break it down on little straps of paper then, ask them to read and arrange them in order.
Then… why not make a little game out of it? Hey! We could pair them up so that they learn to work as a team! Oh! What about we let them spearhead the memorisation game after a few rounds? And we should definitely encourage them to bravely and independently recite the quotation by heart at the end of the class!
You see, let’s try to be attentive to the little thoughts and ideas that pop up during our strive after the bigger picture.
Its always good to look back on our initial plans and ideas and start with the end in mind, but let’s not be too engrossed that we miss out on what’s right under our noses!
Be focused yet detached enough to accept change.
THOUGHTS INITIATE FEELINGS, STIMULATE EMOTIONS AND ACTIVATE ATTITUDES
“When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love.” -‘ABDU’L‑BAHÁ
Good ideas must be carried into action. Noble thoughts in themselves are not enough. They must be made tangible.
The truth that humanity is one must today be constantly asserted and taught to all.
As I mentioned in the beginning, thoughts can contribute to the construction of society or lead to its degradation. Observe the powerful verbs used in the above quote: ‘oppose’ and ‘destroy’. Have the upper hand on your thoughts because they will initiate feelings, stimulate emotions, and activate attitudes within you. Let’s be wise and learn to elevate our thoughts to inspire action. With unity of thought in worldwide undertakings, we can make great progress.
Humans are intelligent beings with a higher and lower nature.
The former is concerned with the development of our souls and is inspired by spiritual ideals while the latter relates to the material world. With both, we will be inspired by thoughts that pivot about the amelioration and betterment of the world.
Alright! By cultivating patterns of thought and behaviour, let’s learn to turn a single thought into a train of thoughts, fueled by positivity that promotes constructive actions!
Thoughts of war, hatred, destruction, and idleness will have to be kicked off at the next stop!
Thank you for reading, you can also access the article on Medium!
Love it!! You are an amazing thinker 💕